Harvest Festivites

As if we haven't had enough fun for one Halloween, then came Sunday. Our church had a Harvest Festival that we took the kids to, and they had fun! They had a big maze, trunk-or-treating, and Ben's favorite, the car bash. But Avery really wanted to go trick-or-treating so after that, we went to a friends house and the dads stayed back with the babies so us mamas could take the older kids out, yes, for more candy!

Two cute Tianas!

Our little Chickadee

Too busy being a superhero to take a pic!

And Ben, smashing the car... scary!

Pumpkin Hunt

Last Thursday, Avery's preschool had a pumpkin hunt for all the kids and all the parents were able to come watch the fun. SO CUTE!

Halloween Madness

This year, more than ever, Avery was super excited about Halloween. She was excited about the costumes, and decorating the pumpkins, and of course, the concept of knocking on someone's door and them giving you a handful of candy. But who wouldn't love that?

We have never been ones to make a big deal about Halloween, it really is probably my least favorite holiday. But I do love that it brings neighbors and communities together. Now that Avery is older she understands the concept so she had decided weeks in advance that she was going to be Tiana, from Princess and the Frog. As I was digging around the garage I found the minnie mouse costume that I wore when I was Avery's age! She loved it and ran around in it half the day. Then of course, she had to try on Gray's chicken costume! That girl is so funny.

Maybe a little small?!

Nice tail, huh?

Cute!

He's ONE!

Yesterday was Graysen's first birthday, as hard as it is to believe! He has kept us on our toes and has brought us overwhelming joy this past year. And as much fun as I have had documenting him each month, it has become more and more difficult to keep him still long enough for a picture!

This month has brought many new things in Graysen's world. His newest word is car and he has braved taking a few steps here and there. He has six teeth, and two more trying to come through. He finally learned how to go down the stairs, and we got to turn his car seat forward! Whew... he has been a BUSY boy this month!

New Move

So Graysen absolutely HATES the tile floors in our house. Actually, so much that he will not even crawl on them... so here is his solution.

Oh, Avery...

About a week and a half ago, Ben was "on-duty", meaning I was upstairs getting ready. Well, when I came down, this is what I found. Avery had drawn herself a kitty face! I do have to give her points for creativity!

Sweet, sweet Sleep

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby!

My Favorite Reason

It seems that my to-do list is never ending. There is always atleast one load of laundry waiting for me, my bedroom is the always neglected room of the house that needs serious attention, Graysen's bedroom is waiting for updated pictures, I need to pack up clothes that the kids seem to be outgrowing at a rapid pace, and the coffee table has Ave's hand prints and Gray's slobber marks all over it. My house may not be perfect and there will always be errands and laundry waiting for me. And for one reason or another, every day things will be left undone but I accept that because I choose this instead!

Yes, my laundry is under them being wrinkled and crushed!

No that is not where I normally keep the toilet paper!

(She picked out her jammies and her shirt is on backwards, nice huh? I promise pictures, I don't always promise decency.)

And yes, Ben probably would have had a heart attack if he had seen this in fear of Gray breaking the dishwasher door. But I took him off... as soon as I got this cute picture!

Beautiful Weekend

Last week, we had a break in the weather. It doesn't feel like we have had much for summer weather this year but we had a gorgeous weekend. So we took advantage and got out. On Saturday, we took a hike to Nojoqui "Falls". Okay, so it wasn't much of a hike but just right with two kids and there definitely wasn't much to the "falls".

That said, it was a perfect day, perfect weather and a great place to let the kids get out and play around.

On Monday, we were off to Avila. Ben only had to work in the morning, so as soon as he got off we headed to the beach. I actually laid on the beach and read a magazine, ahhhh... can't remember the last time I did that?! Then we went to the Farm to pick apples. That was an experience. It was more like running through grabbing as many apples as you could find without getting eatten alive by yellowjackets! Not really what I had in mind. But totally worth it, when we came home and Avery and I made applecrisp. Yum!

Another Great Trip to MT!

Despite my better judgement, I made a decision to go to Montana without Ben. Two car rides and one plane ride with two children and five bags, a stroller and myself.... recipe for disaster, right? But they were awesome, actually they were even better than awesome! Besides our three trips to the potty between security and the gate, and then having to go one. more. time. right after the plane took off. Yeah, besides that, they were great!

The longer I'm away, the more I appreciate Montana each time I go back. Oh my goodness, it is beautiful! I do love living in Santa Maria, but the beautiful, clear nights and sunny (ALL DAY) days were so pleasant! And as always, we had so much fun spending time with family and friends. Avery and Nana had fun playing lots of games, reading books and watching movies. Mom and dad even had a "camping night" for Ave. We were going to try to take her camping but right before we came, the weather took a turn for the worse. So we set up "camp" outside, roasting marshmallows, swimming in the hot tub and the three of them slept in the motorhome. Now that's my idea of camping! And only in Montana will the weather go from 45 degrees one day to 80 degrees the next day. As for Graysen, he was lovin' his Papa. Since Gray has been born he just loves his Papa, it is so sweet. And with so many girls and so much estrogen, I think Dad was really enjoying having a little boy around!

Uck... sticky marshmallow hands!

We have been fortunate to see them every few months since we moved to California. It will be a long time until March when we get to see them again! And next time, Ben (a.k.a my photographer) will be with us so there will be more, many more better pictures!

GrAySeN is eLeVeN MoNtHs!!

We have had a VERY busy month, yes, even busier than our usual. The kids and I braved a trip to Montana by ourselves for a week and a half and we have had something going everyday since we got back! But I finally got unpacked and back into something resembling a routine.

In the midst of all this chaos, Graysen has turned eleven months. It also seems that with those eleven months has come an attitude, even though his sweet, innocent smile will win you over everytime! It is so fun to watch him learn and grow each and every day. I am so thankful for two beautiful children who teach me new things every day.

Another Gray Moment...

Is this not the biggest cheese you have ever seen?

More updates: Graysen now blows kisses, and gives lots of big, sloppy ones!

New Words

Graysen's newest word, besides 'ball', is 'bye-bye'. He says it more like "dye-dye" but either way it is super cute. Here is a video of his newest favorite, talking on the phone.

Teaching and Learning

Avery teaches Graysen all sorts of new things every day, GOOD and BAD. She is his biggest encourager, and my prayer for them is that as they grow she will always want to teach him new things, show him the world, and encourage him in new adventures. They are so blessed to have each other and I pray they grow to be the best of friends.

Avery LOVES to color, she spends a good portion of each day coloring and drawing. She loves it so much, that yesterday, she decided it was time for Graysen to learn.

I'd say he did pretty well for his first try!

Peek-A-Boo

To say that Avery and Graysen have SO much fun together is an understatement. I never would have imagined it to be this fun! With Aves going to preschool two days a week, Gray has been a little lost, but it is so cute because when she comes home, he is attached for the next two hours! Now, yes, we have our moments of "he's touching me" and "that's mine" but at the end of the day, the smiles and peek-a-boos are so totally worth it!

Graysen updates: He said ball on Sunday and got two more teeth today!

GrAySeN is TeN MoNtHs!

I'm not sure how, but it has happened all too quickly, Graysen is ten months already. I just wish he could stay this age and size just a little bit longer, he is at such a sweet stage. He has so much personality and he is getting quite the sense of humor. People are right, with your second baby, things seem to go by much faster!

I can hardly get him to sit still long enough for a picture so he has graduated to the rocking chair. And poor Aardvark, with Gray chewing on him like he has been he might not make it two more months!

Ave's First Day of Preschool!

It hardly seems possible, but true it is, Avery started preschool yesterday morning. I thought maybe she'd be a little sad, NO, she was not... but I was. However, I did keep it together as she hung up her backpack and walked in and sat down so confidently. She did awesome and had so much fun... which was apparent by the paint all over her clothes and the sand in every pocket of her pants! (Lesson learned, preschool is not the place to make a fashion statement.)

It was so nice to have some time with just Graysen. But when she got home he didn't leave her side for the next two hours. He was a little lonely without her here.